Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges

Sweet potato wedges were one of the first things I perfected in the air fryer after struggling to get them just right in the oven. No matter what I tried, my baked sweet potato wedges never had the crispiness I wanted—until I switched to air frying. After a few (okay, five) test batches, I finally nailed the perfect air fryer sweet potato wedges that are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and ready in under 20 minutes.

Back when I was working as a nutrition coach, clients always told me how much they missed crispy sweet potato fries when they were trying to eat at home more often. I love that with just a few simple ingredients, you can make your own air-fried sweet potato wedges, no deep frying required!

If you love using your air fryer too, you have to try air fried sweet potato cubes (these are so good on salads or in grain bowls), air fryer sweet potato toast (with avocado and everything bagel seasoning on top -YUM!!!) or air fried baby potatoes (the best side dish).

I like to keep it simple, but you can easily switch up the flavor with your favorite seasonings—add some heat with cayenne, a touch of sweetness with cinnamon, or experiment with other spice blends. Check out my favorite seasoning ideas later in the post!

Ingredients

• Sweet potatoes – you want to look for sweet potatoes that are not too thick or too long.
• Avocado oil spray – I like avocado oil because it has a high smoke point (so it won’t oxidize when heated at high temperatures). You could also use melted coconut oil or ghee.
• Salt – because all fries need salt!

How to make air fryer sweet potato fries

Cut the potato into wedges: Wash the potato then cut into wedges.

• First cut the ends off the potato.
• Then cut the potato in half lengthwise.
• Then cut each half in half lengthwise.
• From here depending on how thick the potato was, you will either cut each half in half or in 3 pieces. You should have between 8 and 12 fries from each sweet potato.

Cook the sweet potatoes: Add the wedges to air fryer basket and spray with avocado oil and sprinkle with salt. Toss with your hands to ensure the oil and salt are coating the sweet potato wedges. Turn air fryer on 375F for 15 minutes.

Pause and shake: After 8 minutes, pause the air fryer and shake the basket. Turn the air fryer back on. Shake the basket 1-2 more times during the last 7 minutes of cooking to ensure no wedges burn.

Serve immediately or move to a warm oven to keep hot.

Sam’s Tips for Success

• Use a sharp knife – A dull knife is actually more dangerous since it requires more force and pressure to cut through the sweet potatoes. A sharp knife makes the job easier and safer.
• Trim thin edges – If you see very thin edges on the wedges, cut them off before air frying. They’ll burn quickly and affect the taste and texture.
• Don’t overcrowd the basket – Air circulation is key to crispy sweet potato wedges! If the basket is too full, the wedges will steam instead of crisp up. Cook in batches if needed.
• Shake the basket – give the basket a shake 2-3 times while cooking to help the wedges cook evenly.
• Use the right spray: Avoid non-stick sprays with propellants (like Pam), as they can damage the air fryer basket. Instead, use a spray bottle with pure avocado or olive oil, or toss the wedges in oil before cooking.
• Switch up your seasonings – check out my ideas below so you never get bored!

Other spice combinations

Instead of simply using salt, you can instead use any of these combinations of spices. For any of these recipes, omit the salt in the original recipe.

• Special sweet potato seasoning: ½ teaspoon smoked paprika + ½ teaspoon garlic powder + ½ teaspoon salt + 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes – the combination of these spices creates a smoky, savory, slightly spicy sweet potato wedge that is irresistible!
• Cinnamon Sugar Seasoning: 1 teaspoon cinnamon + 2 teaspoons coconut sugar or brown sugar + 1/8 teaspoon salt.
• Cajun seasoning: 2 teaspoons cajun seasoning, ¼ teaspoon salt (plus more at the end depending on how salty your cajun seasoning is).
• Taco seasoning: 2 teaspoons taco seasoning, ¼ teaspoon salt (plus more at the end depending on how salty your taco seasoning is).
• Curry: 1 teaspoon curry powder + ½ teaspoon ground cumin + ½ teaspoon salt.

Drizzle the wedges with olive oil or avocado oil before adding any of these spices to help ensure they stick to the wedges.

Note: To ensure the spices are evenly coating the potatoes, you will want to toss the wedges in a large bowl with avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil instead of simply adding the wedges to the air fryer basket and spraying them with avocado oil spray.

Common questions

Do air fry sweet potato wedges get crispy like deep fried fries?

Not exactly, but they do get deliciously crisp on the edges while staying tender inside.

Restaurants typically double-fry sweet potatoes to achieve that extra crunch, which isn’t possible in the air fryer. However, using high heat, spacing them out in the basket, and shaking them during cooking helps maximize crispiness.

Should you soak the sweet potatoes in water before baking?

No need! I tested this method and found no noticeable difference in crispiness. Skipping the soak saves time without sacrificing texture.

Will coating the wedges in arrowroot or cornstarch make them crispier?

Not in my experience. Adding arrowroot or cornstarch can leave a powdery texture without significantly improving crunch. A light coating of avocado or olive oil is the best way to help them crisp up.

How do I keep them crispy?

Sweet potato wedges are best enjoyed right out of the air fryer. If you need to keep them warm and crisp, place them in a 250°F oven on a wire rack until ready to serve.

Can you make a double batch?

Yes, but for the best results, start in the oven and finish in the air fryer to crisp up the edges.

1. Prep the wedges – Cut sweet potatoes into wedges, coat with oil and spices, and spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet.
2. Bake – Roast at 425°F for 20 minutes, then flip and bake for another 10 minutes.
3. Crisp in the air fryer – Transfer to the air fryer, spray lightly with avocado oil, and cook at 375°F for 5 minutes. You may need to work in batches.